~Guilty and Proven Guilty~

Eleanor paced back and forth about her chambers, the thin linen of her nightgown fluttering around her ankles, trying to keep up with the pace of her slippered feet. Marie watched from the fire, slightly worried, for her Duchess had not spoken, nor ceased her pacing for over an hour now and she could see she was beginning to tire.

It had been but four days since she had given birth to her daughter, Isabella, yet she was up and about as if she had been brought down by a mere cold, not a night of pain! Both of her ladies were tempted to make her rest but each time they voiced their suggestion Eleanor would simply shake her head and continue pacing, not glancing up once.

Marie knew she was like this for today was the day of George's trial, where he would be brought forth from the Tower to face a jury of men and prosecutors led by his own two brothers and Anthony Woodville, recently returned from Wales.

Eleanor's mind had no doubt that he would be found guilty. After the night where he had thrown dangerous accusations around as if they were a tennis ball there was no reason why he would not be condemned in some way. That and she was sure that Elizabeth would be pouring her words of poison into Edward's ear at every turn.

Yet her heart said different. It told her that Edward would be merciful and that he would forgive his brother as he had done so many times before. This was what she prayed for at night. This was what she prayed for now as she finally halted her pacing and stared out of the window that overlooked the courtyard.

But as the hours of the day dragged on and no news of the trial was heard, she could feel her hope wavering. She had sent Anais out in search of news over an hour ago yet she had not returned! Where was she? Anna was known for being easily distracted but she would not disregard something as important as this!

"Where are you?" Eleanor muttered to herself before she looked down at the small bundle, wrapped in swaddling, that she held in her arms.

The bands contained her little four day old daughter, a small girl with pale skin and a flash of red hair that stuck up on her head that made her Father grin each time he saw her 'What is he doing now?' Her Mother wondered as she stared at Isabella's delicate features, her pale lashes and rosebud lips that puckered when she was hungry. Eleanor's foot tapped impatiently against the floor. If only there was news!

"I've come to the conclusion that you and Duke Richard breed like rabbits!" Anais' light voice filled the room and Eleanor spun around, wondering how long her friend had been leaning against the bed post as she was doing now; absentmindedly playing with the golden curls that had escaped her caul "in the past seven years you have born seven babes and I'll vager another one shall be along soon! Really, I sometimes believe you and he are addicted to bedding each other!"

An amused smile played on Marie's lips as she listened to her fellow lady talk while Eleanor stared at her, open mouthed and searching for the words she wanted to say.
"Well....well I think you will find bedding is very satisfactory, Anna!" She said at last.

Those had not been the words she wanted to say.

"What news of the trial?" She corrected quickly "is it over? Has George been pardoned?" Anais' smile faded and she shook her head.
"It is still proceeding" she admitted "King Edward is prosecuting, no one is defending" Eleanor's eyes widened.

"Not even...." she began before her words trailed away into silence.
"Not even Duke Richard" Anais said softly, her heart twisting painfully as she watched her Duchess' eyes grow heavy with despair "he's as silent as I've ever seen him; never stops frowning...."

The chamber doors opened and the three women looked up as Richard walked in, his footsteps heavy and shoulders slumped. He looked almost dazed, almost unbelieving as he stared at the floor even though he had known the way the trial would go. It had been no more than a formality and George had not stood a chance in hell or heaven against Edward's accusations.

"George" he murmured "George has been found guilty"
"And?" Eleanor asked quietly, waving a hand in dismissal so that she and Richard could talk in private. Marie and Anais were already on their way to the door as she did so.

"He...." Richard's voice trailed away and he went to the fireplace, leaning his hands on the mantelpiece as he tried to steady his breathing "he has been sentenced to death"
"Death?" Eleanor repeated, the one word making an invisible weight appear on her shoulders as she shook her head "no. Edward wouldn't...."

"Well he has! He has and George is to die"
"I will not allow it, Richard. I swear to God I will not" He looked up as Eleanor suddenly thrust Isabella into his arms, kissing her forehead before she strode to her bed and threw open a coffer.

"Anais! Marie!" She called, beginning to untie her nightgown and reach for a clean shift while her ladies rushed back in "Anna, brush my hair. Marie, dress me please"
"At once, your grace" they responded, curtsying before they saw to their orders while Richard watched; stunned.

"What are you doing, Leena?" He asked despite already feeling he knew the answer.
"Going to see the King" Eleanor replied confidently, lifting up her head as Marie lifted a blue gown over it and Anais began to braid her hair "I must try to convince him against his verdict"

"You are going to try and sway Edward?" Richard questioned with a frown "George's fate has already been announced to the court, for Edward to back down now would be seen as weakness"

"Or it could be viewed as merciful" She returned, stepping into her shoes before she walked over to her husband, playing with the hem of his doublet "you saw George the other night. He's not well. Do not give up on him yet, Richard. Fight for him, he's your brother"

"I know" He said firmly "forgive me, sweetheart. My mother cannot lose another son. I cannot lose another brother and you cannot lose a friend. We will fight together"
"And together we will win"

꧁꧂

Eleanor's eyes widened in shock as she pushed open the doors to the great hall only to have her ears filled with the desperate cries of Cecily Neville.

Cecily always prided herself in appearing cold, dignified, proud. Her nickname was 'Proud Cis' for a reason. Yet now Proud Cis was stretched out onto the floor, tears gliding down her wrinkled face as she begged for her son's life. She had tried coaxing, shouting, threats and all had failed, leaving her to resort to the only other option.

Begging and pure desperation.

"Please Edward!" She cried as the King rose from his throne, jerked his hand away from Elizabeth, who was sitting beside him. She had her head turned away, eyes closed, weather in disgust or to try and block the heartbreaking display before her from her mind, Eleanor could not tell.

As Edward strode forward, Cecily let out a cry, her hands grasping desperately at his leg as he tried to walk away.
"Let go!" He yelled, sounding harsher than he felt as he shook his Mother off and stormed from the hall, not even looking in Eleanor's direction.

She rushed forward to the weeping Cecily, helping her sit up while the older woman looked up, her eyes mournful and desperate.
"You must speak to him" she croaked, placing her shaking hands against Eleanor's face "you must stop him! He is murdering his own brother, my dear! He cannot do it!"

"I know, Mother" Eleanor replied, feeling Elizabeth glare at her as she heard what she called Cecily by. But she did not care "I will talk to Edward" helping Cecily to rise, the older woman pressed a hopeful kiss to her cheek, nodding as she watched the Duchess walk quickly from the hall.

It did not take her long to find Edward for he was practically dragging his feet as he walked and ignored the servants and courtiers that bowed to him. It was only Eleanor's voice that made him suddenly begin to walk quicker for he recognised the determination in her voice and immediately knew that he was about to face a storm even God would cower away from.

"Edward!" Eleanor yelled again as he disappeared into his study, picking up her skirt to follow him and slamming the door behind her "Edward! Edward listen to me! Please!"

"Why should I?!" He cried angrily, swinging around to face her "I know what you are come here to say and while I must admit I'm rather impressed I am not interested in hearing your words!"
"But you must hear them! You cannot execute George...."
"I am the King!" Edward roared "I can do what I like!"

A harsh laugh escaped Eleanor's lips and she shook her head.
"Even you are not so stupid that you believe that to be true!" She muttered "though you are so stupid as to believe you can execute your own brother!" Edward scoffed leaning back against his desk and folded his arms; eyes narrowing.

"George is a traitor three times over" he hissed. "I have forgiven him time and time again but this time he has gone too far! Because of your darling George an innocent woman is dead, Eleanor! He was plotting my death! And your sister's too! So why on earth should I spare his life?" Eleanor opened her mouth to bite out a sharp retort when the door opened and Richard strode in, looking as determined as she was!

"I thought you might like to hear what I think about this?" He said sternly and Edward groaned, rolling his eyes.
"Not really" he murmured "but I suppose you are going to tell me anyway as your wife is doing! I wonder at your sudden change in heart, you were as silent as a monk this morning Dickon!"

"Don't jest" Richard returned through gritted teeth "not now. Not with George before the hangman's noose at your hands! You must pardon him! Lock him away for the rest of his life if you must but do not send him to his death! He's our brother and our mother would...."

"Yes!" Edward interrupted "he is our brother as everyone keeps so kindly reminding me!"
"And we will keep reminding you until you relent!" Eleanor cried "your Mother knelt at your feet and begged you to spare her son's life! How can you disregard that?!"

"Now listen to me...." he began; gasped as Eleanor slapped him hard across the face.
"No!" She shouted "you listen to me Edward Plantagenet! This is not just another traitor we are discussing! A life that you can simply do away with! He is different and he is different because he is your brother! Your blood!"
Edward bowed his head for a moment, trying to conceal the guilt that surfaced in his blue eyes.

"George has gone too far..." he hissed.
"I can see that!" Richard yelled "everyone can see that! But..."

"He has committed high treason!" Edward roared, standing up to his full height and glaring down at the Duke and Duchess that stood before him as determinedly as ever "I have said that he will die and he will die and both of you will cease your incessant talk unless you wish to find yourself in a cell in the Tower along with your precious George!"

"Ned" Richard said quietly, slightly subdued by his elder brother's rage "please..."
"Oh for fuck's sake get out!" Edward cried, turning away "get out and leave me alone! Leave me in peace and go back to the North before I banish you both!"